Channeler



H. H. MERCER.

CHANN ELER. APPLICATION FILED MAR,9,1916.

1 ,363,004 Patented Dec. 21, 1920.

' 3 SHEETS-SHEET1- H 7? f rcer By A Atty.

H. H. MERC ER.

CHANNELER.

APPLICATION mw MAR-9,1916.

Patented Dec. 21, 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

[72 vemfor brawl/H er By- 4 4 A My.

H. H. MERCER.

GHANNELER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 9. 19m.

m m, 1 {v 4v 2 s 0 T w. W b mm m D m m N m H ,d 3 H m F I m W/x W ,1 W w.v\ I m e m .P v 9. H & mm \b m\ W y m mm kn m \V \m mm ..1\ 0? b m m0m" W mm 3 mwN MW 5 6 mm y k w Wm .1. w .b mm

UNITED STATES HENRY H.

MERGER, OF CLAREMONT, NEW HAMPSHIRE, ASSIGNOR TO SULLIVAN MACHINERYCOMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

CHANNELER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 21, 1920.

Application filed March 9,1916. Serial No. 83,131.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, HENRY H. MERGER, acitizen of the United States, residing at Claremont, in the county ofSullivan and State of New Hampshire, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Channelers, of which the following is a full,clear, and exact specification.

My invention relates to channelers.

It has among its objects to supply water to a channeler in an improvedmanner whereby both delays and the necessity for the employment ofadditional labor are rendered unnecessary so that the channeler mayoperate more nearly at its maximum etliciency and at smaller expense. Afurther object of my invention is to provide improved means wherebywater may be supplied to a channelcr in any position of the latter as itmoves back and forth on its track and during such movement of the sameand whereby the time and amount of water flow to the boiler tank thereofmay be automatically controlled. A still further ob ect of my inventionis to provide improved means for maintaining; a watertfecding member orhose under proper tension at all tinfcs as the channeler moves back andforth at its work. These and other objects of my invention willhereinafter appear.

in the accompanying drawings, I have,

tor purpose 0t illustration, shown one embodiment which my invention mayassume in practice, illustrating the same as used in connection with astandard form of channeier, although it is to be understood that theinvention is adapted to use in connection with channelers of other typesthan that shown.

in these drawings,-

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a channeler mounted on its truck andequipped with my improvement.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the water-feeding mechanism the cover of thedriving mechanism therefor being removed to facilitate illustration, andportions of the channeler being omitted for a similar purpose.

F S is a transverse vertical sectional view through the water-feeding;mechanism.

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view on line l4t of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a detail partial sectional view of a portion of the drivingmechanism connected to the propulsion motor.

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional View on line (i6 of Fig. 2.

The channeler shown includes a truck 1 provided with axles 2 carryingwheels 3 and movable on these wheels back and forth upon the usualchanneler track l by a propulsion motor or engine 5 of any desired form.This truck 1 carries at one side of the same a trunnion bar 6 upon whichis ad justably mounted a ohanneler standard 7 carrying one or morechopping engines 8 connected to a channeler gang or gangs 9, thechopping engine or engines being supplied with steam through a pipe 10from a boiler 11 carried on the truck, and the propulsion motorpreferably being similarly supplied. from the same source throughsimilar constructions not shown. As illus trated, a water tank 12 ismounted at the side of the boiler 11 and supplied with water in a mannerhereinafter described, through a hose 13 attached to a suitable sourceof supply (not shown) and wound on a reel 1%, the latter being connectedto the propulsion engine 5 in an improved manner likewise hereinafterdescribed and also being connectible, to a reversible shaft 15 driven bythe propulsion engine 5 and having its direction of rotation controlledin a well known manner, the connection to the propulsion engine beingsuch that as the channeler is moved along the track in either direction,the hose is automatically maintained at the proper tension.

It will be noted that a pair of injector pipes 16 and 17 extends intothe tank 12 and that these pipes are in turn connected to injectors 18and 19, oi well. known construction. which cause the water in the tankto be supplied to the bottom of the boiler 11 through pipes 20 and 21when steam is supplied to the injectors through a suitable pipe 22connected to the steam dome 23 of the boiler. iLS shown, the supply ofsteam to the injector i8 is controlled by a valve 24:, while the supplyof steam to the injector 19 is controlled by a valve 25, the supply ofsteam from the steam dome 23 being controlled by a single valve 26. Fromthis, it will be apparent that the water in the tank 12 will be forcedinto the boiler through the action of the injectors, all in a well knownmanner.

lVater is supplied to the tank 12 through a vertical pipe 27 and atransversely disposed pipe 28, the latter being controlled by a suitablevalve 29 and connected at its outer end with a downwardly extending pipe30, which is connected through an elbow 31 with a pipe 32 extendingthrough the hub 33 of the reel 14. As shown, a spring 34 is coiled aboutthe outer end of this pipe 32 and disposed between a flange portion 35on the elbow 31 and a flange 36 on a sleeve 37 which incloses the pipe32 and has its inner end held by the spring 34 in engagement with anannular flange 38 on the inner end of the pipe. As shown, this member 37is also in turn inclosed within an extension 39 formed integral with,but of greater internal diameter than, a tubular shaft 40 which extendsbetween the tank 12 and boiler 11 and is journaled at its opposite endsin upstanding brackets 41 and 42 bolted on the truck 1, one of whichcarries a sup port 43 for the pipe 28. Fixed to this shaft extension 39by a bolt'44, is another sleeve member 45 which carries the reel hub 33,the bolt 44 also acting to clamp this hub in position. As illustrated, aplug 46 is inserted in the pipe 40 adjacent the inner end of the pipe32, and a threaded nipple 47 on one end of the hose 13, is threaded intoa suitable port 48 formed in the members 39 and 45 at a point betweenthe plug and the end of the pipe 32.

In order that water may be supplied to the channeler in any position ofthe same and as the channeler moves back and forth along its track 4, Ihave provided a connection between the reel 14 and the propulsion engine5 including a driving member preferably carried on the reversible shaft15 driven from the propulsion engine 5. As shown, this shaft 15 isconnected in the usual manner to one of the axles 2 through a worm 49and worm gear 50, it being understood that its opposite end ispreferably similarly connected to the other axle. Rotatably mounted onthis shaft and located at a point intermediate the ends of the shaft isa gear 51 which meshes with a second gear 52 carried upon an upper shaft53, which is disposed at right angles to the shaft 40 and likewisejournaled in the bracket 42. Upon the opposite end of this shaft 53 isalso carried a worm 54 meshing with a worm gear 55 which is looselymounted upon the adjacent end of the shaft .40 and connectible theretoby means of friction members 56 and 57, splined to the shaft 40 onopposite sides of the gear 55 and controllable by an adjusting screw 58.As shown, this screw is threaded in the end of the shaft and actsthrough washers 59 and 60 and an intermediate coiled spring 61, to varythe pressure of the members 56 and 57 upon opposite sides of the member55. Obviously when the gear 51 is rotated through its connection to thepropulsion engine 5, herein after described, the rotation of the samewill, through the connection just described, cause a rotation of theshaft 40 and thereby cause the reel 14 to be operated to wind up thehose 13 thereon, and the reel, due to the provision of its slipconnection 56, 57 will remain free at all times to unwind under the pullof the hose when the channeler is moved in an opposite direction.

In order to maintain any desired water level in the tank 12, I haveprovided a float 62 connected through a rod 63 to a conical valve member64 having one or more ports 65 therein adapted to register in certainpositions of the same with one or more ports 66 in a conical seat 67which is screw-threaded at 63 into a chamber 69 carried on the end ofthe pipe 27. As shown, this conical valve member 64 is also providedwith bearings 70 in the member 69 and is provided with an extension 71on its front end extending through a sleeve 72 on the member 67 andhaving an opening 73 therein, through which the rod 63 extends, thelatter being adjustably connected to the extension 71 by means of aset-screw 74. Obviously, through this construction, the water level inthe tank 12 may be maintained at any desired point, the float 62 actingautomatically to open or cut off the supply of water when the latter hasreached any desired minimum or maximum level in the tank.

It will also be noted that 1 have provided means whereby the reel may be disconnected from the propulsion engine 5when desired. One of thesemeans includes clamping members 75 and 76 formed on the bracket 4" andinc-losing the shaft 53, for which they form a journal, these membersbeing adjustable into or out of their journal relation with this shaftby means of a bolt connection 78. When the mechanism is at rest and thisconnection 78 is loosened, the gear 52 may be forced manually to theright (Fig. 4) and out of mesh with the gear 51 in such a manner asthereby to disconnect the reel from the propulsion engine. Obviously, ifdesired, the gear 52 may then be locked in this inoperative position bysimply reclamping the bolt connection 78, and may be returned tooperative position by a simple reversal of the process above described.When it is desired to return the gear 52 to mesh with the 51, it willalso be noted that this may be accomplished after the release of thebolt connection 78, by rotation of the reel 14 in such a manner as tocause the gear 55 to feed the worm 54 upwardly and thereby bring thegears into the desired meshing relation. Here it should also be observedthat due to the fact that the gear 55 rotates always in the samedirection, the normal tendency of the same when in operation is tomaintain the gear 52 in its outer or operative position with respect tothe gear 51. In order to disconnect the reel by the means abovedescribed, it will be noted that it is necessary for the mechanism to beat rest. However, if at any time it is desired to disconnect the reelwhile the mechanism is working, this may obviously be readilyaccomplished by adjusting the bolt 58 in such a manner as to release thedriving connection.

Attention should also be directed to the fact that in my improvedconstruction, the friction clutch connection for the reel-driw ing shaftis inclosed within a suitable oiltight casing 79 provided with a cover80 and adapted to contain oil so that all the parts may run in oil, anoil inlet plug 81 being conveniently located in this cover. It will alsobe noted that the shaft is likewise provided with suitable lubricatingmeans at 82, and that a suitable oil-tight chamber 83 is provided forthe worm and worm gear 419, 50, this chamber 83 also being accessiblefor filling, through a conveniently located inlet Attention is alsodirected to the fact that to facilitate assembly and removal of thedriving parts, the worm 49 is journaled at one end in a threadedremovable thrust bearing member 85, threaded into an upstanding part 86on the bracket 42 and clamped by suitable bolts 87, and that the wormshaft 53 is bodily removable through an opening normally closed by athreaded plug 88. In connection with the detail of the tank, it willalso be noted that the same may be drained whenever desired by removinga threaded plug 89 in its bottom.

The reversing connections for the shaft 15 may assume any desired form,and are preferably connected between the opposite ends of the same andthe propulsion engine shaft, in a well known manner, so that astheseconnections are reversed, the shaft 15 may drive the truck 2 in eitherdirection. In Fig. 5, I have shown one of these clutch connections, andimproved means whereby the gear 51 is rotated continuously in onedirection by the propulsion engine 5 irrespective of the direction ofrotation of the shaft 15. These connections, as shown, include a pinion90 carried on the propulsion engine shaft 91 and meshing with aninternal gear 92 having a casing 93 preferably fixed to and rotatablewith the gear 51, both the internal gear 92 and the gear 51 being freelyrotatable about the shaft 15 and continuously rotated by the engineshaft 91. Disposed within the gear casing 93, is the means forconnecting the shaft 15 to the engine shaft 91 and driving the shaft 15in one direction. As shown, this means includes the driven member 94 ofa standard form of band clutch having its hub 95 splined to the shaft 15and extending through the gear 531, and its periphery surrounded by afriction band 96 which is in turn controlled by its usual dog 97,journaled in the casing 93 and having an operating arm 98 extending intothe path of a suitable manually adjustable clutch shipping member 99,which is reciprocable along the shaft.

In the operation of my improved mechanism, while the channelerremains'stationary water will obviously be supplied to the tank 12through the hose 18 and pipes 80, 28, and 27, and will be maintained atthe desired level in the tank by the action of the float 62 and itscontrolled valve 64. The water will, of course, also be withdrawn fromthe tank 12 for use in the boiler 11 as required, by the action of thesteam passing through the pipe 22 to the injectors 18 and 19. When thepropulsion engine 5 is connected to the shaft 15, however, in such amanner as to ro tate the latter and thereby the axles 2 to move thetruck along the track 4: in a direction away from the source of watersupply, it will be noted that the pull of the hose will rotate the reelin such a manner to unreel the needed amount of hose for a givenmovement of the channeler, the reel through its slip clutch connectionbeing free to move independently of the constantly rotating worm gear 55which is always tending to wind up the reel. When the direction oftravel of the channeler is reversed, it will also be noted that due tothe action of this member 55 and its cooperating friction members 56 and5'7, the reel will obviously be rotated in the opposite direction, andthus during the reverse movement of the channeler likewise maintain theproper tension on the hose. It will of course also be obvious that bysuitably proportioning the speed of rotation of the several parts andparticularly of the member 55, the usual disturbing element of variationarising from the variation in the diameter of the reel may beeffectually neutralized. Attention should also be directed to the factthat when desired the bolt connection 7 8 may be withdrawn in order tolet the gear 52 be withdrawn from engagement with the gear 51, and thebolt connection then tightened, whereupon it will be noted that the reelmay be turned into any desired position by hand or otherwise, and willbe held in any position to which it is adjusted. These and otheradvantages of my improved construction will, however, be apparent tothose skilled in the art.

While I have in this application specifically described one embodimentwhich my invention may assume in practice, it is of course to beunderstood that this form of the same is used for purposes ofillustration, and that the invention itself may be modified and embodiedin various other forms without departing from its spirit, it being myintention to include all such forms within the scope of the appendedclaims.

W hat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a channeler, a truck, afluid pressure channeler mechanism thereonincluding a fluid pressure generator and mechanism operated by fluidpressure to reciprocate said truck during the channeling operation,

a stationary source of liquid for transformation in said fluid pressuregenerator, a connection between said generator and said source, andmeans for maintaining said connection at all times free from slack.

2. In a channeler, a truck, steam channeler mechanism thereon includinga boiler, mechanism for reciprocating said truck during the channelingoperation, and means for maintaining a constant fluid supply for saidboiler during said operation.

3. In a channeler, a truck, steam channeler mechanism thereon includinga boiler, mechanism for reciprocating said truck during the channelingoperation, and means including a hose and hose reel operativelyconnected to said mechanism for maintaining a constant fluid supply forsaid boiler dursaid operation.

4. In combination, a truck, truck driving mechanism comprising aunidirectional prime mover, a reel, reversible connections between saidprime mover and said truck driving mechanism, and a non-positive directdriving connection between said prime mover and said reel drivingmechanism.

5. In combination, a movable truck, truck driving means including anengine rotatable in the same direction for driving the truck backward orforward and a reversing mechanism, a reel carried by said truck, andreel driving means driven in one direction by said engine independent ofthe direction of movement of said truck,

6. In combination, a movable truck, truck driving means including anengine rotatable in the same direction for driving the truck backward orforward and a reversing mechanism, a reel carried by said truck, andreel driving means driven in one direction by said engine independent ofthe direction of movement of said truck and including a mom positivedriving mechanism.

7. In combination, a movable support, a member movable therewith anddriven in the same direction independent of the direction of movement ofsaid support, a reel, and a reel. driving member engaging said firstnamed member and movable in the same direction therewith when thesupport is moved in one direction, and movable in the opposite directionfrom said first named member when the su port is moved in anotherdirection.

S. In combination, a movable truck, a

working unit including a tank carried by said truck, means for supplyingfluid to said tank, and means for maintaining said supply means in apredetermined operative relationship with'said truck throughout themovement of said truck.

9. In combination, a track, a truck movable thereon, means forpropelling said truck back and forth on said track, a working unitcarried on said truck, a boiler on said truck supplying power for saidunit, means for supplying fluid to said boiler and means for maintaininga predetermined operative relationship between said supplying means andtruck throughout the movement of said truck.

10. In combination, a track, a truck movable thereon, means forpropelling said truck back and forth on said track, a working unitcarried on said truck, a boiler on said truck supplying power for saidunit, a tank connected to said boiler, means for supplying fluid to saidtank and means for maintaining a predetermined operative relationshipbetween said supplying means and truck throughout the movement of saidtruck.

11. In combination, a track, a truck movable along the same, an engineon said truck, a boiler on said truck connected with said engine, a tankon said truck connected with said boiler, means for supplying fluid tosaid tank and means for maintaining a pre determined operativerelationship between said supplying means and truck as said truck ismoved along said track.

12. In combination, a movable truck, a working unit including a boilercarried by said truck, means including a fluid supply member formaintaining a constant supply of fluid for said boiler, and means formaintaining said supply means in a predetermined operative relationshipwith said truck throughout the movement of said truck.

13. In combination, a track, a channeler truck thereon, an engine onsaid truck, a boiler on said truck connected with said engine, means forpropelling said truck back and forth on said track, means including afluid supply member for maintaining a con stant supply of fluid to saidboiler, and means for maintaining a predetermined operative relationshipbetween said supply member and truck as said truck is moved back andforth.

14. In combination, a track, a truck thereon, a propulsion engineconnected to said truck, a boiler on said truck connected with saidengine, means for supplying fluid to said boiler, and meansoperated bysaid engine for maintaining a predetermined operative relationshipbetween said supplying means and truck as said truck is movel along saidtrack.

15. In combination, a track, a truck there on, an engine carried by saidtruck, a boiler on said truck connected with said engine, and meansoperatively connected to said engine for supplying fluid to said boileras said truck is moved along said track.

16. In combination, a track, a truck thereon, an engine carried by saidtruck, a boiler on said truck connected with said, engine, av

tank on said truck connected with said boiler, and means operativelyconnected to said engine for supplying fluid to said tank as said truckis moved along said track.

17. In combination, a track, a truck thereon, a propulsion engine,operative connections between the same and said truck for propelling thesame in opposite directions, a boiler on said truck connected with saidengine, and means operatively connected to said propulsion engine forsupplying fluid to said boiler as said truck is moved back and forth.

18. In combination, a movable truck, a working unit carried by saidtruck, a hose for conducting a liquid to said truck, means on said truckfor transforming said liquid to an operating medium for said workingunit, and means for automatically keeping said hose substantially tautthroughout the movement of said truck.

19. In combination, a movable truck, a working unit carried by saidtruck, a hose for conducting a liquid to said truck, means on said truckfor transforming said liquid into a working medium for said workingunit, a reel for said hose, and means for actuating said reel to keepsaid hose substantially taut throughout the movement of said truck.

20. In combination, a track, a truck movable along the same, an enginemounted on said truck, an engine boiler connected there to, a boilertank connected therewith, a reel carried on said truck, a hose carriedon said reel and delivering fluid to said tank, and means for propellingsaid reel from said truck.

21. In. combination, a track, a truck movable along the same, a boileron said truck, a propulsion engine on said truck connected with saidboiler, a tank connected to said boiler, a reel operatively connected tosaid propulsion engine, and a hose carried on said reel delivering fluidto said tank.

22. In combination, a track, a truck movable along the same, a boiler onsaid truck, a boiler tank on said truck, means for supplying fluid tosaid boiler tank, means for maintaining a predetermined operativerelationship between said supplying means and truck in any position ofsaid truck on said track, and means for automatically maintaining apredetermined fluid level in said tank.

23. In combination, a track, a truck thereon, a propulsion engineconnected to said truck, a boiler on said truck connected with saidengine, a boiler tank on said truck, means operated by said engine forsupplying fluid to said boiler tank in any position of said truck onsaid track, and means for automatically maintaining a predeterminedfluid level in said tank.

24. In combination, a track, a motor-propelled truck thereon, a boileron said truck, a boiler tank on said truck, injector waterfeedingmechanism connected to said boiler and extending into said tank, meansfor supplying fluid to said tank, means for maintaining a predeterminedoperative relation ship between said supplying means and truck as saidtruck is moved along said track, and controlling means for saidfluid-supplying means controlled by the level of the fluid in said tank.

25. In combination, a track, a ohanneler truck thereon, a propulsionengine on said truck, a boiler on said truck connected with said engine,a reel on said truck, a tank on said truck connected to said boiler, ahose on said reel supplying fluid to said tank, and means for connectingand disconnecting said propulsion engine and reel when desired.

26. In combination, a track, a wheel truck mounted thereon'having arotatable axle, a propulsion motor on said truck, a rotatable shaftoperatively connected thereto, worm gearing between said shaft and axle,a supplementary shaft disposed above said first mentioned shaft andoppositely connected thereto, a third shaft disposed at right angles tosaid second shaft, and worm gearing between said last mentioned shafts.

27. In combination, a track, a wheel truck mounted thereon having arotatable axle, a propulsion motor on said truck, a rotatable shaftoperatively connected thereto, worm gearing between said shaft and axle,a supplementary shaft disposed above said first mentioned shaft andoperatively connected thereto, a third shaft disposed at right angles tosaid second shaft, worm gearing between said last mentioned shafts, anda frictional drivingconnection controlling the connection of said wormgearing to one of said shafts.

28. In combination, a track, a truck thereon, a propulsion engine onsaid truck, a boiler on said truck connected with said engine, a reel onsaid truck, a tank on said truck connected to said boiler, a hose onsaid reel supplying fluid to said tank, and operating means including africtional driving connection between said reel and said propulsionengine.

29. In a channeling machine, a truck, a propulsion engine mountedthereon, a boiler mounted on said truck and connected to said engine, atank on said truck connected to said boiler, a shaft connected to saidpropulsion engine, a reel mounted on said truck and having a rotatableshaft, driving means including gearing between said shaft and the shaftconnected to said propulsion engine, and a hose carried on said reel andsupplying fluid to said tank.

30. In a channeling machine, a truck, a propulsion engine mountedthereon, a boiler mounted on said truck and connected to said engine, atank on said truck connected to said boiler, a shaft connected to saidpropulsion engine, a reel mounted on said truck and having a rotatableshaft, driving means between said shaft and the shaft connected to saidpropulsion engine including gearing and a cooperating frictional drivingconnection, and a'hose carried on said reel and supplying fluid to saidtank.

31. in combination, a track, a truck thereon, a propulsion engine onsaid truck, a boiler on said truck connected with said engine, a boilertank on saidtruck connected with said boiler,'a reel on said truck, opene tive connections between the same and said propulsion engine, a hoseon said reel, fluidconveying means between said hose and tank, a valveon said conveying means, and a float carried in said tank operativelyconnected to said valve.

1,ees,ooa

said boiler, a shaft connected to said propulsion engine, a-reel mountedon said truck and having a rotatable shaft, power connections betweensaid shaft and the shaft connected to said propulsion engine including aworm and worm gear and a frictional driving connection controlling therotation of one of said shafts, and a hose carried on said reel andsupplying fluid to said tank.

33. A truck, running gear therefor, driving means adapted to cooperatewith said running gear, a reversible connection between said drivingmeans and said running gear whereby said truck may run in oppositedirections, means for supplying said driving means with power comprisingav stationary supply means, a flexible connection between saidstationary supply and said driving means, and a reel having a directfrictional connection with said 1 driving means.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature.

HENRY H. MERCER.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,363,004, grantedDecember 21,

1920, upon the application of Henry H. Mercer, of Claremont, NewHampshire,

for an improvement in Ohannelers, errors appear in the printe dspecification requiring correction as follows: Page 4, lines 8897,claims 1011, after the word tank insert a comma; page 5, line 99, claim26, for the Word oppositely read operattvcly; and that the said LettersPatent should be read with these corrections therein that the same mayconform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 25th day of January, A. D., 1921.

L. B. MANN,

Acting Commissioner of Patents.

[SEAL

